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"Sharing lots of similarities to the straight Crozes Hermitage, the limited production 2013 Crozes Hermitage la Guiraude has a touch more ripeness and density in its plum, licorice, smoked meats and olive brine-driven bouquet. This gives way to a full-bodied 2013 that has solid mid-palate depth, plenty of texture and a great finish. A selection of the top barrels (not destemmed and aged all in older oak), it too will evolve gracefully for a decade. -JD" –Dec 2015

Fruit for this wine is a barrel selection of Graillot’s best Crozes-Hermitage lots each vintage. ‘La Guiraude’ is chosen after Alain has tasted every barrel. This stem-fermented wine is a powerfully structured, yet elegant wine that will age well. The special cuvée is not terroir specific and is only produced during exceptional vintages.

Fruit goes into lined concrete vats whole-cluster for a 2- to 5-day pre-fermentation maceration followed by a 15- to 21-day fermentation. Pumpovers are employed to carefully integrate oxygen into the wine. Wines are aged for one year (80% aged in 1- to 3-year-old barrels purchased from top estates in Burgundy and 20% in concrete vats. (800 cs when produced)